If you need an FR44 auto insurance filing to reinstate your driver’s license, there are things that you need to know and proper steps that you need to take. This article will guide you through the process and explain everything you need to know to make the process as painless as possible. To make sure we’re all on the same page, let me start off with some basic FAQ’s regarding FR44 auto insurance. What is an FR44?
Who is required to carry an FR44 filing? The FR 44 was created to primarily apply to drivers who have been caught for DUI. However that’s been expanded over the years. For a complete list of who is required to carry an FR 44, below is copied verbatim from the Virginia DMV’s website: FR-44 certification is required for the following convictions:
What’s the difference between an FR44 filing and an SR22 filing?
The only difference is that FR44 liability insurance coverage limits are double the SR22 insurance coverage limits:
How can I get an FR44 filing if I do not own a vehicle? No problem! You simply need to take out what’s known as a Named Operator’s policy (a.k.a. non-owners policy). As long as your policy is covered for the amount of liability coverage you need, you can attach either an FR44 or an SR22 filing to a named operator’s policy, just the same as you do a regular auto insurance policy. *** Warning about canceling an FR44 attached policy!!!! As I mentioned earlier, if you cancel a policy while you’re still required to carry the FR44 filing (or the SR22), your license will be suspended again unless you replace it with another active FR44 attached policy right away. In most states, making your license active again simply involves putting another FR44 in force, or reinstating the old policy. However, in Virginia, you have a very short window to do so with about being charged with another $145 license reinstatement fee. How short of a window? That’s a great question! Nothing is mentioned about it on the Virginia DMV website…. I personally called the DMV and asked this question a few days ago…. I didn’t get a straight answer. “About four or five days” was their response. I have no clue how to advise you given such a lousy “official” response. Which is it? Four days or five? …… Personally, I wouldn’t want to chance it any number of days. How do I set up an FR44 filing? This is very simple:
Not all auto insurance companies offer FR44 filings and many don’t write named operator policies either. So you’ll have to do some looking around to find the right company for your needs (see below). Where is the best place to find an affordable FR44 attached auto insurance policy? Your best bet is to contact an independent insurance agent that specializes in high risk auto insurance. They will have multiple companies that go easy on drivers with a bad driving record and those who need state filings. Getting a quote this way, you only have to give your quote information once, and the agent will do the dirty work of shopping around for you. Where not to look for an FR 44 auto insurance quote: Quoting directly with an auto insurance company. While there’s nothing wrong with doing this, it is very inefficient as far as finding the lowest possible price to fit your needs. It could take you nearly half a day to get enough quotes from multiple companies to do the same thing an independent agent can do for you in a matter of a 5 minute online quote or phone call. But many people fall into this trap because big auto insurance companies tend to dominate search engine rankings. Quoting with a captive insurance agent (agent who only works for and sells for one insurance company). There’s nothing wrong with captive agents. The vast majority of them are great people and great agents. The problem is that the companies they represent are usually the companies that don’t want your business. Every company has their own appetite as far as which customers they want and don’t want. They price premiums accordingly. Many of them won’t even write FR44 or SR22 filings…. The companies that are more FR44 friendly tend to channel towards independent agents. Quoting with a lead generation site. Beware of these websites! They are very deceptive. They design their website so that it looks like an insurance agent’s website. The problem is, they don’t sell insurance at all! They simply pretend to be agencies and collect your quoting information. Once they have your quoting information, they sell your information to other insurance agents…. In many cases, they will sell your info to dozens of agents…. This will cause your phone to blow up! There is an easy way to tell a real agent’s site from these fakes. Simply look for a name, address and phone number. A real agent will list all of that info prominently on their site to where it’s a real person you’re dealing with. If all you see posted is maybe a 1-800 number without an actual agent/agency name and location, RUN! Summary: Without knowing the info above and also knowing where to look for the best priced policy that fits your needs, the whole FR44 filing process can be a real pain in the ass! But by following the info I’ve given above, you will now know how to find the right coverage you need at an affordable price. Simply fill out one of the two quote forms below, and I will be happy to guide you through everything, and have you taken care of. Get an FR44 Quote here with Lyles Insurance if you own a Vehicle Get an FR44 Quote here with Lyles Insurance if you do NOT own a Vehicle. Call me for a Quote Related Blog Articles: What is a Virginia FR44 Auto Insurance Filing? Video: Buyers Guide: Virginia FR44 Insurance Video: Virginia FR44 Named Operator Auto Insurance Video: What is Virginia FR44 Auto Insurance Video: Understanding Virginia FR44 Auto Insurance Filings Where can I find the cheapest Virginia FR44 Auto Insurance Filing with a DUI on my record?
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Author
Dan Lyles is an Independent Insurance Agent serving Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.. Archives
March 2021
Categories
All
|